Non-rise faucet assembly

ABSTRACT

A faucet assembly having a rotatable, non-rise stem and which stem can be axially removed from its shank, the assembly having a removable retainer clip which slides into a transverse slot in the shank and forces the stem into proper seating engagement with the stem and locks the stem in place. A faucet handle has a skirt which is slipped over the retainer clip and prevents its removal from the shank. Two such faucet assemblies are mounted on a central shank by a telescoping connection, and interengaging means are provided between the telescoping parts to permit their easy assembly, but once they are assembled they are locked together and prevented from being pulled apart. .Iadd.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.929,678, filed July 31, 1978 now abandoned. .Iaddend.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to non-rise faucets of the type shown in my U.S.Pat. No. 3,788,601 which issued Jan. 29, 1974, and entitled Non-RiseValve for Faucets or the like; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,951 which issuedNov. 4, 1975 for Hot and Cold Water Mixing Valve, and wherein theelongated cartridge has a disc valve member at its lower end which formsa valve with apertures in the shank body. These stems must be accuratelypositioned within the shank so as to provide proper sealing engagementtherewith. At the same time, the stem must be readily and easily removedfor replacement of the o-rings or repair of other parts and for cleaningthereof.

These faucet assemblies must often be coupled together to serve a singlespout and such assembly must be accomplished in an easy manner,notwithstanding the tolerances and exact distances which must bemaintained between the separate faucets and their mounting, for example,in the cabinet or counter top. Thus, it is highly desirable to be ableto assemble the shank with one another and with the center spout in aneasy manner and without special tools. Once the shanks are assembled tothe central spout, there is no reason to disassemble them, because ofthe lack of relative movement between the parts.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a faucet assembly having a fluidreceiving shank and in which is removably mounted an elongated valvestem for forming a valve with the shank to permit the ingress and egressfrom the faucet. The invention contemplates a removable retainer clipreceived in a generally transverse slot in the shank and by means ofwhich clip the stem is accurately and forceably located in proper valvesealing engagement with the shank. The clip prevents accidental removalof the stem and yet also permits easy removal of the clip when the stemis to be removed for inspection and/or repair.

The invention also contemplates a faucet handle which has a downwardlydepending skirt that surrounds and covers the retainer clip and preventsits unintended removal from the faucet assembly.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to inter-engaging,telescoping connections between two faucet assemblies of the above typewith a central shank assembly which supports a single spout that isserved by both faucets. The connection between the central shank and thestem shanks is such that the telescoping members have inter-engaging andnon-releasable means between them which permit their easy assembly, butprevent their disassembly. More specifically, these inter-engaging meansare of such a size and shape that they are readily insertable togetherbut cannot be disconnected once they are engaged.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willappear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a faucet assembly embodyingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the interengageable partsbetween the shank and body connection, the view showing the parts in thedisengaged position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the parts in engagedlocked position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical, cross sectional view, on an enlargedscale of part of one assembly as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4, certainparts being shown as broken away or removed for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the device as shown in FIG.4, certain parts being shown as broken away or in section for the sakeof clarity and the retainer clip being shown in the partially assembledposition; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the retainer clip and aportion of the shank with which it slideably engages.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the various parts of acomplete, dual faucet assembly made in accordance with the presentinvention and includes a first valve assembly 1, a second valve assembly2 which are engageable with a central shank 3, which central shank inturn supports a single spout 4 and is sealingly engaged therewith withthe conventional o-ring 5.

The valve assemblies 1 and 2 are identical in construction and thereforea detailed description of only one is believed to be necessary anddesirable. The valve assembly 1 includes an elongated stem S which isaxially insertable in an upper portion 6 of the entire .Iadd.unitary.Iaddend.shank 7. The shank 7 also includes a lower portion 8 which isthreaded on the outside and through which fluid is introduced from asupply, not shown, by means of the inner opening 10 (FIG. 4). A nut 11is threadably engaged on the portion 8 and holds the valve assemblycaptive on a counter C. The complete assembly also includes a cover 12and its lock nut 12a. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, handles 13 are securedby cap screws 14 on the upper, non-circular cross sectional end 15 ofthe stem.

Referring in greater detail to the stem, it includes a lower disc valvemember 16 having apertures 17 therethrough and which are alignable andnon-alignable with corresponding openings in the shank when the stem isrotated by the handle 13 in the known manner. The stem is mounted in achamber 18 in the upper portion of the shank and is in sealingengagement therewith by means of the conventional o-ring 19. Thus, whenthe stem is rotated to the open position, water is permitted to flowfrom passage 10 in the lower portion of the shank and upwardly throughthe openings 20, through opening 17 in the valve disc and then out of alaterally extending conduit 22 which is in communication with chamber18.

Referring in still greater detail to the stem, it will be noted that ithas a radially extending shoulder 30 formed transversely adjacent itsupper end. When in assembled position, this shoulder is positioned inalignment with the lower edge of the transverse grooves .Iadd.or slots.Iaddend.33 which extend partially through the upper portion of theshank. When in this properly assembled position, the valve disc 16 bearsin sliding sealing engagement with resilient valve seat member 34 whichis spring loaded by springs 35 against the lower surface of the disc inthe known manner. It is important that the valve stem is properlylocated in this position and remains in that position for properoperation of the valve.

In order to insure that the stem is properly inserted in the shank asabove described, and remains locked in that position where it can rotateduring its valving function, a retainer clip 40 is insertable in thegenerally transverse .[.slot.]. .Iadd.slots .Iaddend.33 in the shank.The retainer clip has a disc-like portion 42 in which is .[.formed.]..Iadd.provided .Iaddend.a recess 43 extending transversely across thedisc-like portion 42 .Iadd.to form a blocking surface for the shoulder30 on each side of the recess 43.Iaddend.. One edge of the retainer clip40 is formed with its lower surface as a bevelled edge 45, whichbevelled edge is adapted to ride up and engage the shoulder 30 when theclip is inserted into the transverse slot 33, and said recess embracesthe stem.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bevelled edge 45 has just contacted the corner46 of the flange 30 and further insertion of the clip 40 into thetransverse slot causes the shoulder and its valve stem to be forceablypushed downwardly into the shank, thus properly and firmly positioningthe stem in its proper valve relationship with the shank.

As shown clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle 13 has a downwardly andaxially extending skirt portion 13a which when the faucet is assembledsurrounds and encloses the clip 40 and prevents its removal from thetransverse slot and consequently possible leakage of the faucet. Inorder to disassemble the faucet, it is only necessary to remove thescrews 14, lift the handle off its non-circular connection with the topend of the stem and then grasp the clip with the fingers andtransversely slide it from the .[.slot.]. .Iadd.slots.Iaddend.. Removalof the clip in this manner thus frees the stem for axial withdrawal fromits shank.

Non-releasable interengaging means are also provided between the abovedescribed valve assemblies, the central shank 3, and spout 4. This meanscomprises a telescoping connection which includes the conduit 22 and theinner tubular member 60 of the central shank 3. FIG. 2 shows the partsin disengaged position while FIG. 3 shows the parts in engaged position.When in the engaged position, the o-ring seal 66 forms a sealed jointbetween the parts and once this connection is made, there is no occasionto disconnect that joint. In order to insure that the joint is notdisconnected inadvertently the interengaging means between thetelescoping members are shaped to preclude their withdrawal. Morespecifically, one of the telescoping members, for example, 60, has atriangular shaped projection 67 formed thereon and which has a rear flatside 68 and a front pointed end 69. The other telescoping member has acomplementary shaped opening 70 including a narrow passage 71 throughwhich the projection 67 can pass. Once the connection is made, as shownin FIG. 3, the narrow passage 71 precludes the withdrawal of the flatsurface 68 from the complementary shaped opening 70. There is norotation between the parts 60 and 22 and no occasion to disconnect theseparts and consequently, the seal 66 does not need replacement. Thus,tight and permanent connection is made.

The spout also has a quick attachable and locked joint with the centralshank, similar to the non-releasable, interengaging members abovedescribed. More specifically, the spout 4 also has a pair oftriangularly shaped projections 74 formed integrally therein, oneprojection on each of opposite sides of the lower end of the spout.Complementary shaped recesses 75 are formed in the central, uprightportion 76 of the shank 3 and these recesses also lockingly receivetheir respective projections 74 when the spout lower end is slid intothe tubular portion 76, o-ring 5 therebetween forming the fluid seal.

I claim:
 1. A non-rise faucet comprising a shank having a lower endthrough which fluid is introduced and also having an upper end includinga stem chamber and communicable with said lower end for the reception offluid therefrom, an elongated and removable stem slideable into saidchamber and having a lower end forming a movable valve in said chamberto permit regulated flow of water through said faucet upon rotation ofsaid stem in said chamber, said upper end of said shank having a slotarranged generally transverse to said elongated stem, said stem having aradial shoulder adjacent its upper end for alignment with saidtransverse slot, and a removable retainer clip having a portionslideably engaged in said transverse slot, said portion having a recessfor embracing and engaging the upper end of said stem when said clip isinserted in said transverse slot, said clip also having a bevelled edgeat one side thereof for engagement with said shoulder when said clip isinitially inserted in said slot, whereby further engagement of said clipinto said slot causes said shoulder and stem to be pushed downwardly insaid shank for operative engagement of said valve, said clip wheninserted in said transverse slot preventing longitudinal movement ofsaid elongated stem.
 2. The faucet set forth in claim 1 including ahandle having an axially downwardly depending skirt, said handle beingdetachably secured to the upper end of said stem, said skirt surroundingsaid clip and the upper end of said shank when in assembled relationshipto thereby prevent removal of said clip from said transverse slot. 3.The faucet set forth in claim 1 further including a laterally extendingconduit in fluid receiving communication with the shank whereby whensaid valve is open, said fluid flows into said laterally extendingconduit, a central spout supporting shank telescopingly engageable withsaid conduit for receiving fluid therefrom, and interengaging matingmeans between said shank and said conduit whereby said shank and conduitcan be telescopingly engaged together, said interengaging meanspreventing disengagement of said shank and conduit.
 4. The faucet setforth in claim 3 further characterized in that said inter-engaging meanscomprises a triangularly shaped projection and a complementary shapedopening which can be slid together for locking engagement and whereinsaid triangularly shaped projection is locked in said opening.
 5. Thefaucet set forth in claim 2 further including a laterally extendingconduit in fluid receiving communication with said shank whereby whensaid valve is open, said fluid flows into said laterally extendingconduit, a central spout supporting shank telescopingly engageable withsaid conduit for receiving fluid therefrom, and interengaging matingmeans between said shank and said conduit whereby said shank and conduitcan be telescopingly engaged together, said interengaging meanspreventing disengagement of said shank and conduit.
 6. The faucet setforth in claim 5 further characterized in that said inter-engaging meanscomprises a triangularly shaped projection and a complementary shapedopening which can be slid together for locking engagement and whereinsaid triangularly shaped projection is locked in said opening. .Iadd. 7.A non-rise faucet comprising a shank having a lower end through whichfluid is introduced and also having an upper end including a stemchamber and communicable with said lower end for the reception of fluidtherefrom, an elongated and removable stem slidable into said chamberand having a lower end forming a movable valve in said chamber to permitregulated flow of water through said faucet upon rotation of said stemin said chamber, said upper end of said shank having a slot arrangedgenerally transverse to said elongated stem, said stem having a radialshoulder adjacent its upper end for alignment with said transverse slot,a removable retainer clip having a portion slidably engaged in saidtransverse slot, said portion having a recess for embracing and engagingthe upper end of said stem above said shoulder when said clip isinserted in said transverse slot, said recess extending rearwardlybeyond the forward advancing edge of said clip to provide a lateralblocking surface on each side of said recess for engagement with saidshoulder to interlock said stem in said shank for operative engagementof said valve while preventing longitudinal movement of said elongatedstem, and a handle having an axially downwardly depending skirt, saidhandle being detachably secured to the upper end of said stem, saidskirt surrounding said clip and the upper end of said shank when inassembled relation to thereby prevent removal of said clip from saidtransverse slot. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 8. A non-rise faucet assemblycomprising a unitary shank having a lower end through which fluid isintroduced and also having an upper end including a stem chamber andcommunicable with said lower end for the reception of fluid therefrom,an elongated and removable stem slideable into said chamber and having alower end forming a movable disc valve in said chamber to permitregulated flow of water through said faucet upon constrained rotation ofsaid stem in said chamber; an annular shoulder adjacent to the upper endof said stem projecting radially therefrom within said stem chamber,means for locking said stem against longitudinal withdrawal movementfrom said chamber while permitting free rotary movement thereof,comprising a pair of diametrically opposed slots in the lateral wall ofsaid shank at approximately the level of the upper surface of saidshoulder, and a locking clip formed of a disc having a central elongatedrecess between adjacent retaining surfaces adapted to be moved in atransverse direction through said transverse slots to force said annularshoulder towards the lower end of said shank by the sliding of saidretaining surfaces against the top of said shoulder while accommodatingthe central portion of said stem within said elongated recess to permitfree rotation thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 9. A non-rise faucet assemblycomprising a shank having a lower end through which fluid is introducedand also having an upper end including a stem chamber and communicablewith said lower end for the reception of fluid therefrom, an elongatedand removable stem slidable into said chamber and having a lower endforming a movable disc valve in said chamber to permit regulated flow ofwater through said faucet upon constrained rotation of said stem in saidchamber, said upper end of said shank having a pair of diametricallyopposed slots arranged generally transverse to said elongated stem, saidstem having a radial shoulder adjacent its upper end for alignment withsaid transverse slots, a removable retainer clip having a portionslidably engaged in said transverse slots, said portion having a recessfor embracing and engaging the upper end of said stem above saidshoulder when said clip is inserted in said transverse slots, and saidrecess extending rearwardly beyond the forward advancing edge of saidclip to provide a lateral blocking surface on each side of said recessfor engagement with said shoulder to interlock said stem in said shankfor operative engagement of said valve while preventing longitudinalmovement of said elongated stem. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 10. The faucet assemblyset forth in claim 9, including a handle having an axially downwardlydepending skirt, said handle being detachably secured to the upper endof said stem, said skirt surrounding said clip and the upper end of saidshank when in assembled relation to thereby prevent removal of said clipfrom said transverse slot. .Iaddend.